Predictably Irrational

The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions

By: Dan Ariely

Narrated by: Simon Jones

Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Why do our headaches persist after taking a one-cent aspirin but disappear when we take a 50-cent aspirin? Why does recalling the 10 Commandments reduce our tendency to lie, even when we couldn't possibly be caught? Why do we splurge on a lavish meal but cut coupons to save 25 cents on a can of soup? Why do we go back for second helpings at the unlimited buffet, even when our stomachs are already full? And how did we ever start spending $4.15 on a cup of coffee when, just a few years ago, we used to pay less than a dollar?

When it comes to making decisions in our lives, we think we're in control. We think we're making smart, rational choices. But are we? In a series of illuminating, often surprising experiments, MIT behavioral economist Dan Ariely refutes the common assumption that we behave in fundamentally rational ways. Blending everyday experience with groundbreaking research, Ariely explains how expectations, emotions, social norms, and other invisible, seemingly illogical forces skew our reasoning abilities.

Not only do we make astonishingly simple mistakes every day, but we make the same types of mistakes, Ariely discovers. We consistently overpay, underestimate, and procrastinate. We fail to understand the profound effects of our emotions on what we want, and we overvalue what we already own. Yet these misguided behaviors are neither random nor senseless. They're systematic and predictable - making us predictably irrational.

From drinking coffee to losing weight, from buying a car to choosing a romantic partner, Ariely explains how to break through these systematic patterns of thought to make better decisions. Predictably Irrational will change the way we interact with the world - one small decision at a time.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2008 Dan Ariely (P)2008 HarperCollins Publishers

New perspective

narrator was great and the book was brilliant. loved the case studies and liked the refreshing viewpoint.

Fun and Refreshing

I'm sure everyone else has said everything there is to say about this book. So I would like to point out a few things that might not have been mentioned.

There were a few points in the book where I could not help but cringe because I felt Ariely was being very subjective and too opinionated. I was tempted to stop listening and you might have the same reaction. I am glad I stuck with it until the end, overall his opinions are kept to a minimum and this book really gives a refreshing, different perspective.

Ditto on all the other good comments.

A practical approach to behavioral economics

As a clinically trained psychologist, I have long enjoyed the written and
podcasted works of Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt in their regular
presentations of Freakonomics. Filled with folksy anecdotes and
illustrations of principles of behavioral economics, their work is highly
digestible, often humorous and always thought provoking. Dr. Ariely's book,
Irrational Predictability continues in that tradition. What I like most
about all of the works of Ariely and some of the works of Dubner and Levitt
are the methodological descriptions of the social science research that
often leads to counterintuitive findings/conclusions about human behavior.
None of the digestibility, humor or thought provoking character is lost but
clear connections are made between hypotheses, method, results, conclusions
and even limits to generalizability. This is a very well written and
narrated book of interest to anyone with a curiosity about why we do the
seemingly illogical things that we do.

Good book not great

Good book until the last 2 hours gets off subject to me! Good luck listening

A creative inception concept

if your curious as tonwhynand how people react and then desire to slightly alter it, this is tour book

We are strange creatures

We are strange creatures. It's odd to realize that we, human beings, are so proud of our rationality, but at the same time, so blind to our irrationality. If all humans acted rationally, we wouldn't have the problems we have. But at the same time, society would be boring.

This book is so eye-opening as Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman. And if you loved this book, you'll love Predictably Irrational.

We are extremely biased and irrational. That's our nature. But we can prevent it by creating systems that help us be better human beings.

Very Interesting

Nice for stop and stop listening on a long trip since it's several stories instead of just one. I found it very entertaining.

Not totally applicable but interesting

I loved the reader's voice and English accent. First few chapters were quite applicable to implementing them on my business and the rest was entertaining and "good to know".

Listened to it twice!

Interesting insights into our irrational minds. Would recommend to anyone interested in psychology. I enjoyed it so much; I listened to it twice!

A great deal of information at a small package

You will learn more about yourself, your family... even about your wife in this easy to read, great to enjoy and science to apply book. As soon as you get into the audiobook you will get hook to it...